Wow -- I was pleasantly surprised!

Rating: 9/10 (4 August 2005)

I loved this movie, and I didn't expect to. I went only for Ewan McGregor, expecting just another high budget/low common denominator action flick (I suppose it was in many ways, but I don't care). I'm not familiar with the director but have since been informed that he's responsible for many a Hollywood crapfest. So what; this movie hooked me in and kept me going even though I had figured out "the secret" early on, mostly due to the fact that it was heavily influenced by Logan's Run. I liked the other '70s sci-fi flick references, too (even such an off-the-wall quote from FutureWorld), many of which were social and/or environmentally conscious, and Ewan's personal references. Admittedly, there are some flaws (continuity errors and lapses in logic), but I turned a blind eye. I can understand why some people think it's overblown and that makes it a somewhat guilty pleasure (my favourite kind!).
The whole the cast was great as well and it was fun to see Steve Buscemi and Scarlett Johanson together again (my how she's grown since Ghost World!). The one disappointment: Ewan's erection-reaction scene seems to have been cut. His penis seems to be problematic for American audiences; it's happened before. Well, hopefully it will be on the DVD.